|
Disclosure can take 3 different forms:
Indirect Disclosure (e.g. "Don't make me to to
grandpa's house any more"). For the child, the message is
clear, but it is often misinterpreted by adults and makes the
child feel even more hopeless.
Accidental Disclosure - here the child accidentally
tells of the abuse in conversation or the abuse is seen and
"caught in the act". In this situation, the child is not
ready to disclose and, as a result, much care must be taken with
handling these cases.
Purposeful Disclosure - in these instances, the child
makes a conscious effort to disclose and wants some control to be
taken over the abusive situation.
Your role in handling disclosure:
- Acknowledge the child's statement
- Do not show shock
- Give matter-of-fact answers
- Always speak to the child quietly and privately
- Stay calm, reassuring and non-judgemental
- Believe what the child tells you
- Do not ask questions that sound like accusations
- Tell the child that s/he is NOT responsible for the abuse,
no matter what the circumstances
- Do not encourage the child to tell you everything
- Help the child by saying that you realise how difficult it
is for them to talk about it.
- Get help for the child and report the abuse
|
